National Safety Month

June 2016

ITCA WIC is honoring June as Safety Month by sharing some important safety tips for women, infants, and children.

Food Safety

Every child is at risk for choking, but children under the age of 4 years are more likely to choke because they have narrow throats and airways, cannot chew very well due to lack of teeth, and they often put things in their mouths.

Knowing about choking risks and safety tips can help prevent choking. The link below shows foods that are choking risks and foods to avoid for children under the age of 1. Follow these guidelines to help keep your children safe:

Prepare Safe Foods:

Cut foods into small pieces no larger than ½ inch

Cut meat across the grain into thin small pieces

Offer soft cooked chicken, fish, beef, or turkey that is easy to chew

Slice grapes, cherry tomatoes, and other round foods into 2 or 4 small pieces

Cook carrot sticks or broccoli pieces until slightly soft

Grate raw vegetables

Spread peanut butter thinly on bread, crackers, or tortillas

Do not let your child eat a glob of peanut butter on a spoon

Eat Safe:

Have your child sit down while eating at the table

Do not let your child run, walk, play, or lie down while eating

Stay with your child while eating

Watch your child while eating

Keep unsafe foods out of reach

Teach your child to chew food well before swallowing

Learn how to help a child who is choking by taking CPR/First Aid classes in the community

Pregnant women need to be careful about food safety. According to the CDC, 48 million persons get sick, 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die from illness caused by food in the United States each year. Pregnant women and their unborn children have a higher risk of developing certain foodborne illnesses because their ability to fight off infection is lower when pregnant. Use the links below for foods that should be avoided during pregnancy and safe cooking tips.

Each year, thousands of young children are killed or injured in car crashes. In fact, the CDC reports motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for American Indians aged 1–44. On average, 2 American Indians are killed every day in motor vehicle crashes. American Indians are injured or killed in motor vehicle crashes at much higher rates than other Americans and have lower use rates of car seats, booster seats, and seat belts.

Proper use of car seats helps keep children safe. With so many different styles and seats available, it may be hard to tell which one is the right one. The type of seat your child needs depends on several things, including your child’s age and size and the type of vehicle you have. Read the links below for information on selecting the correct seat for your child and other car seat safety tips. You may be able to get a free car seat in your area. Ask your local fire or police departments about free car seats in your area.